The Comprehensive List of International Book Fairs in 2020

Note: Don’t forget to check out the 2024 book fairs list!

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that every book lover feels more at home surrounded by books. This is why we brought you our updated 2020 international book fairs list, to help guide you home. Our annual book fair list includes events with everything a book lover could ever dream of, books, authors, publishers and a bunch of book-related goodies.
International Book Fairs

No matter where you are in the world, there are bound to be international book fairs close to you happening in 2020. This list will help you pinpoint the exact one and give you the chance to make a note of it so that you don’t forget when the time comes.

For last year’s list, check out International Book Fairs 2019.

Beijing International Book Fair

Beijing International Book Fair

Beijing, China
Aug 26-30, 2020
Beijing Book Fair’s 27th edition is bound to be an extraordinary event. With China’s keen interest in edutech and 5G technologies, last year’s fair was an international hit, one can only wonder what 2020’s event will bring to the table. The Beijing Book Fair is generally attended by over 30,000 people each year. With publishers, distributors, literary agents, digital media companies, film, and production companies and bookstores holding booths to showcase all they have to offer. In addition to that, there are many special treats, from mini-exhibitions, lectures, seminars, salons, book launches, awards, and various cultural events.

Taipei International Book Exhibition

Taipei International Book Exhibition

Taipei, Taiwan
Feb 4-9, 2020
TIBE is organized by the Taipei Book Fair Foundation and plays host to more than 200 international exhibitors and publishing professionals from 60 countries. It’s now in a strategic position as a Chinese publishing hub, to attract global publishers who want to explore the Chinese language market. There are so many things showcased. Taiwan’s publishing industry will take precedence, from literary/non-literary work, children’s books, cartoons, and other types, to digital media. Korea will be the guest of honor of its 28th edition in 2020.

Angoulême International Comic Books Festival

Angoulême International Comic Books Festival

Angoulême, France
Jan 30-Feb 2, 2020
The Angoulême International Comics Festival is the leading French comic book festival and the second largest in Europe in terms of awareness and participation rates after the International Bands Fair drawn from Lucca, Italy. It takes place every year in January and combines exhibitions, debates, meetings, and numerous dedication sessions. Many prizes are awarded, including the Grand Prix of the city of Angoulême, which rewards an author for all of his work, and the Fauve d’Or, which is rewarded to an exceptional album published the previous year.

Casablanca Book Fair

Casablanca Book Fair

Casablanca, Morocco
Feb 6-16, 2020
The annual Casablanca International Book Fair brings together hundreds of publishers from all over the world and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The book fair is not only an opportunity for publishers to market their books, but it is also a large forum for cultures to openly discuss and debate publishing works on current issues and events. The program includes lectures, debates, poetry readings and theme nights. The National Reading Award is presented during the book fair In every year of the book fair, there is a wing reserved for publishing houses dedicated to children’s books. The event aims to promote literacy among Moroccan children through a number of initiatives designed to encourage reading among children. This year’s guest of honor is Spain.

Feria Internacional del Libro de La Habana

Feria Internacional del Libro de La Habana

Havanna, Cuba
Feb 6-16, 2020
Cuba’s premier cultural event boasts works of literature hailing from more than forty different countries. The festival includes book vendors, poetry readings, children’s activities, art exhibits, and concerts in the evenings.
The 29th edition in 2020 will be dedicated to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as the guest of honor. Thanks to that, Cuban readers will be able to appreciate the best of Vietnamese literature that will be available. Among many other themes, that of the historical events of a country that defeated imperialism, guided by Ho Chi Minh, an exceptional man at the head of an extraordinary town, will be the highlight for readers to appreciate.

Alexandria International Book Fair

Alexandria International Book Fair

Alexandria, Egypt
Apr 13-25, 2020
The Alexandria International Book Fair has vigorously succeeded in drawing attention to the city of Alexandria and its intellectual figures. It has also created a vibrant cultural stir which increases year by year with the growing number of participants, whether publishing houses from all over the world or national celebrities who are keen on being part of the book fair’s cultural program. A section selling old and used books (Sour el-Azbakeya) has been added as part of the fair to cater to young people’s need to find books that are relatively inexpensive. The fair invites one country every year as a guest of honor, highlighting its culture, heritage, and its key intellectuals and thinkers.

Salon International Du Livre

Salon International Du Livre

Quebec City, Canada
Apr 15-19, 2020
The Québec International Book Fair is an annual meeting for readers of Québec that will display products like comics, Chitra Katha, novels, graphics, merchandise, toys, games, films, and animation etc. The Salon brings together authors, publishers and attracts a large amount of visitors. It also happens to host the Quebec Comic Strip Festival. This year’s guest of honor is Margaret Atwood, who will be sitting down and giving a talk on the 14th of April. If you don’t want to miss out on it, reserve your seat now.

Strokestown International Poetry Festival

Strokestown International Poetry Festival

Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, Ireland
Apr 30-May 4, 2020
The Strokestown International Poetry Festival takes place annually on the first weekend of May, in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. The weekend provides a world-renowned forum for excellence in poetry. Strokestown is famous for the large audiences that attend all readings and allied to the welcome, the friendliness and the scenery, the weekend is an unforgettable experience and a thrilling immersion in contemporary poetry.

Thessaloniki Book Fair

Thessaloniki Book Fair

Thessaloniki, Greece
May 7-10, 2020
The Thessaloniki International Book Fair is undoubtedly the most important annual event for the book and the professionals of the publishing industry organized in Greece. People from all over the world visit the TBF every year to get the latest literary news, attend its events, to meet and discuss. There are themed events, literary meetings, a festival for young writers, a translation festival, workshops, speeches, roundtables, a teenage and educational corner, and many more things.

Helsingin Kirjamessut

Helsingin Kirjamessut

Helsinki, Finland.
Oct 22-25, 2020
Helsinki Book Fair is the most important event for lovers of literature and book industry professionals in Finland. It features 15 programme venues and more than 40 international literary guests. The programme consists of more than 800 debates and interviews, in addition to authors, speakers include politicians, artists, journalists and prominent figures. The total number of performers is more than 1,000. More than 300 publishers, bookstores and second-hand booksellers take part in Helsinki Book Fair every year. Helsinki Book Fair also features an Antiquarian Book Exhibition co-hosted with the Finnish Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association. More than 84,000 literature fans visited the fair last year.

Bologna Children's Book Fair

Bologna Children’s Book Fair

Bologna,
Italy

Mar 30-Apr 2, 2020
The Bologna Children’s Book Fair is built around children’s content today. With over 50 years of experience, the fair is the world’s premium copyright exchange hub. Discover the latest market trends, meet illustrators, and fairytale authors, or check out multimedia and licensing businesses for children’s content.
The BCBF Guest of Honour Country for 2020 is Sharjah and this will bring the best of children’s illustrators and authors from the United Arab Emirates to Bologna.

Livre Paris

Livre Paris

Paris, France
Mar 20-23, 2020
Livre Paris is a fair dedicated to highlighting the richness and diversity of the world of publishing. The event welcomes both large and small publishers and representatives of the book trades. It is open to both professionals and the general public. With more than 800 events spanning the four days as well as 3,000 authors in attendance, it’s bound to be a great time fill of conferences, and debates with readers. The 2020 guest of honor happens to be India.

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Abu Dhabi, Madinat Zayed, Occasions Hall, United Arab Emirates
Apr 15-21, 2020
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is the marketplace for the publishing industry in the Middle East and North Africa. Over the years, exhibitors have benefitted from venues such as the eZone, which showcases the latest in electronic media and digital content. The Illustrators’ Corner has offered a platform for local and international talent to display their work and learn from market specialists. This year’s guest of honor is Russia.

International Belgrade Book Fair

International Belgrade Book Fair

Belgrade, Serbia
Oct 24-Nov 1, 2020
Each year the International Belgrade Book Fair attracts an increasing number of publishers from former Yugoslavia and the world. Belgrade became the place where Eastern and Western cultures meet. There are extensive side events are held at the fair. There are conferences, round table conferences, meetings with authors, public discussion panels and workshops. For the visitors, the book fair is an opportunity to find at one place and buy at special prices the books they are interested in, as well as to meet their favorite authors and discover the new ones, attending one of many programs. The 2020 guest of honor will be Romania.

Cairo international book fair

Cairo international book fair

Cairo, Egypt,
Jan 23-30, 2020
The Cairo International Book Fair is one of the biggest book fairs out there, drawing hundreds of booksellers from around the world and about 2 million visitors each year. It is the largest book fair in the Arab world, as well as the oldest. Senegal has been chosen as the guest of honor for 2020.

Frankfurter Buchmesse

Frankfurter Buchmesse

Frankfurt, Germany
Oct 14-18, 2020
Frankfurter Buchmesse is the world’s most important fair for the print and digital content business, as well as an outstanding social and cultural event. For five days, publishing experts, writers and cultural enthusiasts from all over the world come together at the fair in Frankfurt, where they network, talk, make decisions, get inspired and join together in celebration. This year’s guest of honor happens to be Canada.

BookExpo America

BookExpo America

New York, United States of America
May 27-31, 2020
BookExpo America is one of the largest book fairs in North America. Exhibitors share news and trends for the future of the book world. For visitors, it is an excellent opportunity to connect with other readers, attend panels and get their hands on new releases, and book-related goodies. Authors are usually available for autographs after they talk about their latest work, as well as come in contact with their fans, so it’s a grand opportunity for all.
Author Breakfasts, special tea events or even after-show drinks are extremely popular during the week of BookExpo.

FIL Guadalajara

FIL Guadalajara

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Nov 28-Dec 6, 2020
The Guadalajara International Book Fair is the most important publishing gathering in Ibero-America. The fair is aimed at professionals and the general public alike, a characteristic that sets it apart from other book fairs around the globe. It is also a cultural festival in which literature plays a major role including a program where authors from all continents and languages participate and a forum for the academic discussion of the major issues of the world. This year’s guest of honor is Sharjah.

 London Book Fair

London Book Fair

Olympia, West London, United Kingdom
Mar 10-12, 2020
The London Book Fair is a massive international affair and, in Europe at least, it’s second only to Frankfurt. It’s a place for authors, booksellers/buyers, distributors, literary agents/scouts, publishers, translators and obviously readers. LBF holds two award ceremonies each year. The International Excellence Awards, celebrating publishing and related activities outside of the UK and The Trailblazers, celebrating those under 30 in the publishing industry. The London Book Fair is delighted to have Sharjah as the Market Focus for 2020.

Manila International Book Fair

Manila International Book Fair

Manila, Philippines
Sep 16-20, 2020
The Manila International Book Fair is the biggest and longest-running book fair in the Philippines. MIBF provides an avenue for foreign and local publishers, distributors, booksellers, agents, authors and talents to converge, exchange ideas and collaborate. Visitors are treated with the largest discounts along with activities such as conferences, seminars, training programs, workshops, and competitions geared towards reading and learning.

LIBER, Feria Internacional del Libro

LIBER, Feria Internacional del Libro

Barcelona, Spain
Oct 7-9, 2020
Liber is one of the largest international gatherings for books in Spanish, providing plenty of business opportunities for publishing firms. It is the main hub for business and professional exchanges in this industry, LIBER is open to all book-related sectors, with a special focus on digital content, new publishers, self-publishing, and copyrights.

Hong Kong Book Fair

Hong Kong Book Fair

Wan Chai, Hong Kong, China
Jul 15-21, 2020
The Hong Kong Book Fair exhibits products such as children’s and teen’s books, religious and spirituality books, stationery and art and crafts products. There are also ebooks and e-Learning resources such as ebook readers, audio-visual learning aids, educational software, learning centers, hobby goods, multimedia products and many more.
The event is for books and publications, stationery and art and crafts products, ebooks and eLearning resources, audiovisual learning aids, learning centers, hobby goods, and multimedia products. More information will be available on the website soon.

Buch Wein

Buch Wein

Vienna, Austria
Dec 11-15, 2020
Buch Vienna is the largest literary festival in Austria. It is an extensive program for adults, adolescents, and children. There will be an exhibition of the classic of children The Little Polar Bear. It will exhibit products and services that will include different publication houses, libraries, printing press, software companies, latest technologies and animation, and illustration companies.

Moscow International Book Fair

Moscow International Book Fair

Moscow, Russia
Sep 2-6, 2020
The Moscow International Book Fair will highlight its culture, science, and education through the prism of the book publishing industry and underline the commonality of Slavic cultures. With thousands of book industry professionals and representatives of dozens of countries: booksellers, publishers, translators, journalists, literary agents, and TV and film producers, it is the easiest way to enter not only the Russian book market but also other markets abroad. The 2020 guest of honor is The Republic of South Korea.

Göteborg Book Fair

Göteborg Book Fair

Gothenburg, Sweden
Sep 24-27, 2020
The Gothenburg Book Fair is an annual event held in Gothenburg, Sweden. It started primarily as a trade fair for librarians and teachers but is now the largest literary festival in Scandinavia and the second largest book fair in Europe after the Frankfurt Book Fair. It has around 100,000 visitors and 900 exhibitors annually. The Göteborg Book Fair 2020 presents three themes: South Africa, READ! READ! READ! and Digital culture. The 2020 Book Fair will celebrate South Africa’s outstanding literary talents and become a platform for dialogue and skills development, social cohesion and tolerance, says Mr. Vusumuzi Mkhize, Director General of the Ministry of Culture of South Africa.

Bienal do Livro

Bienal do Livro

São Paolo, Brazil
Oct 30-Nov 8, 2020
Considered as one of the most relevant events in the Brazilian publishing market, the São Paulo Book Fair gathers the main publishing houses, book distributors and book releases in Brazil. The fair encourages literature, culture, and education. There you will have the chance to learn, meet authors, make dreams come true, find new books, make new friends and, Expand the way you think and act.

Sharjah International Book Fair

Sharjah International Book Fair

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Nov 4-14, 2020
The SIBF is a valuable opportunity for parents to ignite in their children a fondness for books and reading, and inspire curiosity among them to learn about the world they live in. This 11-day event will witness the participation of leading Arab and international writers, artists, intellectuals, cultural personalities, chefs and performers. Featured programs will include discussions, debates, literary seminars, poetry readings, workshops for children and adults, cultural shows and edutainment exercises.

New Delhi World Book Fair

New Delhi World Book Fair

New Delhi, India
Jan 4-12, 2020
The New Delhi World Book Fair is India’s oldest book fair after the Kolkata Book Fair. The fair will feature books, publications, journals, among other things. Apart from promoting literacy and reading habits, especially among children and youths, the fair presents a vast panorama of Indian books on a wide range of subjects. The Theme of the 2020 edition of the fair is titled Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer. It will not only underscore the influence of Gandhi on Indian literature and some major authors of India and abroad, but it will also bring into focus the aspects of Gandhi as a writer, editor, journalist, publisher, printer, a mass communicator par excellence.

International Kolkata Book Fair

International Kolkata Book Fair

Kolkata, India
Jan 29-Feb 9, 2020
The International Kolkata Book Fair is not only the world’s largest non-trade book fair for the general public and non-wholesale vendors, but it’s also an experience of itself, with picnickers, singer-songwriters, and candy floss vendors. The guest of honor for 2020 will be Russia.

Indonesia International Book Fair

Indonesia International Book Fair

Jakarta, Indonesia
Sep 9-13, 2020
IIBF is an annual book exhibition organized by IKAPI. It was established in 1980 under the name of Indonesia Book Fair (IBF). IIBF is a meeting point, a strategic and prestigious event for exhibitors to promote literature, art, culture, and all other creative content, through rights licensing and other means of cooperation.

Lahore International Book Fair

Lahore International Book Fair

Lahore, Pakistan
Feb 6-10, 2020
Lahore International Book Fair is one of the largest and annual international book fair held in Lahore, Pakistan. Around 165 local and foreign publishers and education-related organizations set up stalls in the book fair on a variety of topics, including Islam, history, education, computer and information technology, engineering, business management, medical sciences, agriculture, literature, law, and children literature. Foreign publishers represented in the book fair hail from regions such as the Middle East, UK, United States, and India.

Interliber

Interliber

Zagreb, Croatia
Nov 10-15,2020
The Interliber is the largest Croatian trade fair for books and teaching appliances. Representatives from book publishing and multimedia companies from all over the world come to the Interliber in order to present their products to the general public. It offers numerous interesting presentations of books and educational programs, awards, and workshops.

Krasnoyarsk Book Culture Fair

Krasnoyarsk Book Culture Fair

Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Oct 31-Nov 4, 2020
Krasnoyarsk Book Culture Fair is an exhibition where books and related items are sold by both publishers and book distributors from the central regions of Russia and cities of Siberia. This book festival is a unique opportunity for Russian publishing houses to make a name for themselves and to display their products for sale in the most favorable terms. During the fair, publishing houses present their latest releases, they’re joined by musical bands, theater teams, writers, belletrist, poets and artists from all over the world.
The International Children’s and Youth Book Fair has represented the fundamental place for the evolution of authors and illustrators that make it possible for children and young people to find books. The primary task of the International Fair for Children and Young People (FILIJ) has been to become a forum open to dialogue and experiences around books and reading. That is why different actors in the book chain are invited to participate in the calls published during the year within the framework of the FILIJ. The FILIJ Ambassador Award was established, in order to recognize an eminent author or illustrator of the children’s and youth book (LIJ), who for a year will represent children’s and youth literature in different public events inside and outside our country.

International Book Arsenal Festival

International Book Arsenal Festival

Kyiv, Ukraine
May 20-4, 2020
The International Book Arsenal Festival is an intellectual event in Ukraine, where the book, literary and artistic scenes develop and interact with each other, and join high-quality, timely and innovative projects are implemented. Each year the Book Arsenal Festival pays special attention to the visual component – from exhibition projects on the art of book publishing, illustration, design, art books and art objects, and installations to the latest design trends in zines and self-published books. The Theme of the jubilee Festival is Optimists Skeptics. The focus theme is curated by Rostyslav Semkiv, literary critic and Ph.D. in Philology.

San Diego Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con

San Diego, United States of America
Jul 23-26, 2020
Originally showcasing primarily comic books and science fiction/fantasy related film, television, and similar popular arts, Comic-Con has since included a larger range of pop culture and entertainment elements across virtually all genres, including horror, Western animation, anime, manga, toys, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels. In addition to drawing huge crowds, the event holds several Guinness World Records including the largest annual comic and pop culture festival in the world.

Warsaw International Book Fair

Warsaw International Book Fair

Warsaw, Poland
May 21-24, 2020
The WBF Warsaw Book Fair in Warsaw is one of the oldest fairs in Europe. It includes meetings with authors, promotions of books, discussions, concerts, etc. Exhibitors can establish collaborations and exchange experiences. It is also a chance to discuss problems within the Polish book market. The Czech Republic will be the main visiting country at the Warsaw Book Fair. It addresses its visitors with the now-familiar slogan “AHOJ!” Poland’s biggest book festival will feature 15 authors.

Turin International Book Fair

Turin International Book Fair

Turin, Italy
May 14-18, 2020
The Turin International Book Fair is one of the largest in the world of Italian literature. It’s a prestigious cultural festival, an essential international point of reference for professionals in the book industry, and an important educational project dedicated to the promotion of books and reading among young readers. It takes place in May every year in the four pavilions of Lingotto Fiere. The fair features books, periodicals, and journals published both inside and outside the country. Iran will be the guest country of the Turin Intentional Book Fair in 2020.

Istanbul International Literature Festival

Istanbul International Literature Festival

Istanbul, Turkey
Jun 3-6, 2020
The Istanbul Tanpınar Literature Festival establishes an annual forum for followers of Turkish and international literature. Authors, publishers, critics, translators, and members of the press from around the world will have the opportunity to meet, discuss and exchange ideas, and discover more about the rich literary voices coming out of Turkey today. This event is a meeting point for writers, publishers, agencies, translators, journalists, literary fund managers, literary festival coordinators and everyone in the publishing industry.

Seoul International Book Fair

Seoul International Book Fair

Seoul, South Korea
Jun 24-28, 2020
The Seoul International Book Fair is an international book fair that brings together various book industry representatives and publishers from all over the world. The event aims to bring together celebrated authors and their fans in a great literary festival. In addition to books, this event showcases products such as greeting cards, stationery, travel books, maps, globes, business and financial services for retailers, professionals related to security systems etc. More than 420 exhibiting companies from 40 countries as well as over 350 writers and authors participate in the SIBF. Furthermore, 300 seminars and events were organized, and more than 1,110 meetings take place as well.

Paraty International Literary Festival

Paraty International Literary Festival

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Jul 29-Aug 2, 2020
The Festa Literária Internacional de Paraty is a literary festival held yearly since 2003 in the Brazilian city of Paraty, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. During the festival, the activities of Educativo take over the streets and squares with debates, games, and presentations. These integrations are a fundamental step in making Paraty an educational territory, with the potential to become a pulsating laboratory of ideas, experiences, and solutions.

Santiago International Book Fair

Santiago International Book Fair

Santiago, Chile
Jul 22-Aug 6, 2020
FILSA, the Santiago International Book Fair, seeks to promote the free circulation of ideas, the dissemination books and overall promotion of reading and appreciating books. This cultural event brings together authors, publishing experts, illustrators, and other people from the industry. It’s a platform where people can exchange ideas and contemporary work that highlights the Chilean society. Along with guests of honor and extensive cultural programs, there are activities for children, book launches and signings.

Bloody Scotland

Bloody Scotland

Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Sep 18-20, 2020
Bloody Scotland established itself as the leading Scottish International Crime Writing Festival. It’s a place for crime writers new and established. In the event readers can hang out with their favorite crime writers, enjoy entertaining as well as informative events during a weekend in September, covering a range of criminal subjects from fictional forensics, psychological thrillers, tartan noir, cozy crime and many more.

Krakow International Book Fair

Krakow International Book Fair

Krakow, Poland
Oct 22-25, 2020
The International Book Fair in Krakow is an iconic event in the city, a promotion zone for good books, a venue for meetings and hangouts, exchanges of thoughts and discussion. There are workshops and panels dedicated to the publishing and book industry, meetings with authors in publishers’ stands and in seminar rooms, and publishing offers from Polish and foreign publishers and much more.

Geneva Book and Press Fair

Geneva Book and Press Fair

Geneva, Switzerland
Oct 28-Nov 1, 2020
The Geneva Book Fair offers visitors of all age groups a festive opportunity in which they can exchange cultural experiences that are centered around books, as well as read, participate in heated debates and meet publishers, authors, distributors, dealers, media representatives and other people who play a role in the world of writing and literature.

Pula Festival of Books and Authors

Pula Festival of Books and Authors

Pula, Croatia
Nov 29-Dec 9, 2020
The fair’s program is based on the intercultural affirmation of internal and European regionalism, upholding and promoting the specifics of literary culture. Never biased, always in a dialogue, both the makers and guests of the fair meet in Pula, the marginal point of the social reality that does not give up on the variety of shared ideals – just like freedom.

Sofia International Book Fair

Sofia International Book Fair

Sofia, Bulgaria
Dec 10-15, 2020
This book fair represents a major asset in the panel of Bulgarian cultural events. National publishing houses, as well as foreign exhibitors, display their literary production and exchange views during the 6 days event, which takes place just before the Christmas holidays. Through its diverse program of readings, discussions, poetry-and-music, cinema screenings, live music performances, exhibitions and other activities the festival became one of the most creative and well attended cultural events in Bulgaria.

Jeddah International Book Fair

Jeddah International Book Fair

Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
December 2020
Jeddah International Book Fair is one of the most important stations of direct communication between writers, publishers, and intellectuals to keep them updated about everything new in this field. As well as being an outstanding cultural event that keenly pursued by the cultural, academic and media bodies which paying special attention to book fair every year. Jeddah International Book Fair is the second-largest book fair in Saudi Arabia, after Riyadh international book fair. The fair is usually participated by around 500 international publishing houses from more than 40 countries. Moreover, it pays great attention to new and experienced Saudi writers.

Çukurova Book Fair

Çukurova Book Fair

Adana, Turkey
Jan 4-12, 2020
Çukurova Book Fair features a wide range of various book based products and services. The Çukurova Book Fair provides readers with the opportunity to meet their favorite authors, at book signings, in panel discussions, and workshops. Check out the innovations in the publishing sector, find periodicals, magazines, and fanzines, or reach different voices among non-governmental organizations.

Jaipur Literature Festival

Jaipur Literature Festival

Jaipur, India
23 – 27 January 2020
The Jaipur Literature Festival is an annual literary festival that takes place in the Indian city of Jaipur each January. In the five day event, authors and dignitaries from across the world and especially the South East Asian countries, participate and engage with crowds on various issues and partake in readings, debates, and discussions with them and with each other. The Festival is essentially an event of coming together of some of the world’s greatest minds, historians, humanitarians, sportspeople, business leaders and entertainers from all walks of life who share the stage and put forward their ideas and thoughts. The Jaipur Literature Festival 2020 Blogging Competition presents an opportunity for writers to submit creative pieces on the themes.

Vilnius International Book Fair

Vilnius International Book Fair

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.
Feb 20-23, 2020
The Vilnius Book Fair is exclusively focused on the reader, books and cultural events. It is also one of the most significant cultural event in Lithuania, the main meeting place of publishers, authors and readers. Over 500 cultural events are held annually during the four opening days, the Fair attracts more than 60 000 visitors. The fair’s forums is where the event really shines, as serious discussions and intelligent conversations with well-known Lithuanian and foreign representatives of culture, art, business and science take place. The participants of the traditional Vilnius Book Fair Discussion Club invite people to enjoy a cycle of deep and intellectual discussions.

Latvian Book Fair

Latvian Book Fair

Riga, Latvia
Feb 28-Mar 1, 2020
The Latvian Book Fair is an event for publishers, suppliers, bookkeepers, wholesalers, libraries and industry associates. This event will be showcasing the latest book presentations, offer meetings with authors, autographs and seminars. It’s a great opportunity as one can meet writers and listen to lectures given by authors. There will be a diverse range of books that will be offered by Latvian and foreign publishing houses, events for young readers, developmental and educational games, book opening events, authors’ readings, news from publishers and various other events.

Brussels Book Fair

Brussels Book Fair

Brussels, Belgium
Mar 5-8, 2020
The book fair ‘Foire du livre’ is a gigantic library in the heart of Europe, located in the history-laden site of Tour & Taxis, where major stakeholders of the publishing world will be brought together. Publishers from France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Quebec will meet their Belgian counterparts. Each year, the International pavilion focuses on one specific country’s production in a 400m² room that includes a library, a literary club, and an exhibition room. In 2020, the Brussels Book Fair will welcome Moroccan literature! The links that unite Belgium with Morocco are historic and this honor of Moroccan literature is also an opportunity to recall them.

Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Mar 4-9, 2020
The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is the Arab World’s largest celebration of the written and spoken word. The festival places home-grown talent center-stage and offers local fans the chance to interact with world-famous authors, attend literary debates and workshops, and participate in competitions. Bringing together more than 130 of the world’s greatest writers, thinkers, and doers, the program for the 12th edition of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature allows us to begin the search for answers to the great questions in life. The program is jam-packed with inspiring, fun and mind-boggling sessions that will delight and astound people of all ages. The overall theme for the show is Tomorrow and will delve on topics like sustainability, spirituality, and kindness.

Leipzig Book Fair

Leipzig Book Fair

Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
Mar 12-15, 2020
The Leipzig Book Fair is an important spring meeting place for the publishing and media sector and has evolved into an attractive hallmark both in Germany and across Europe. In a nutshell, the aim of the Leipzig Book Fair is to drum up more publicity for books. Held every March, it’s a massive draw for publishers, writers, readers, and journalists. An ideal communication platform, the Leipzig Book Fair provides extensive information on new publications as well as current and future trends in the German-speaking and European markets.

Bogota International Book Fair

Bogota International Book Fair

Bogota, Colombia
Apr 21-May 5, 2020
This fair represents an important business space and the maximum meeting of the book for the national and international publishing sector, which also promotes and encourages the habit of reading. It is an event that brings together like every year a large group of book professionals, as well as thousands of visitors who love the world of reading. In short, an event of reference within the sector, and an almost unmissable event for both professionals in the sector, as well as for lovers of reading. The guests of honor for 2020 will be Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Norway.

Budapest International Book Festival

Budapest International Book Festival

Budapest, Hungary
Apr 23-26, 2020
The International Book Festival Budapest is recognized as one of the most important professional and intellectual forums of the region in the international world of books. The Book Festival awaits its visitors at Millenáris, which provides a rich cultural milieu, a modern atmosphere, an even smarter exhibition area, and very good accessibility. The award-winning author whose works inspired HBO’s hit series ‘Chernobyl’, Svetlana Alexievich, is coming to Hungary next spring as the guest of honor at the Budapest International Book Festival 2020.

Eurasian International Book Fair

Eurasian International Book Fair

Astana, Kazakhstan
Apr 20-26, 2020
The Eurasian International Book Fair is the largest cultural and educational event in the Eurasian space aimed to unite professionals of publishing and related businesses from countries of Europe and Asia on one intelligent platform.

Buenos Aires Book Fair

Buenos Aires Book Fair

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Apr 30-May 18, 2020
The Buenos Aires Book Fair is the most important annual literary event in the Spanish speaking world. Each April, more than one million readers from all over Latin America visit the premises and take part in the thousand-plus literary events organized. The fair offers a 20-day-long literary festival and cultural program complete with conferences, readings, workshops and book presentations. Paul Auster, John M. Coetzee, Henning Mankell, Ray Bradbury, Isabel Allende, Mario Vargas Llosa, and Wilbur Smith are only some of the great writers who’ve already been part of the Fair´s cultural program. The 2020 guest of honor is Havana. Publishers, booksellers, and librarians of Cuba’s capital city will be in the 36th Professional Sessions.

Prague International Book Fair

Prague International Book Fair

Prague, Czech Republic
May 14-17, 2020
Book World Prague features numerous programs for visitors: professional seminars and conferences, meetings with writers, author readings, presentations by publishers, and awards ceremonies for outstanding publishing and creative achievements. The 2020 guest of honor is Poland.

Salone della Cultura

Salone Della Cultura

Milan, Italy
Jan 18-19, 2020
The Salone Della Cultura is born from the heart and reaches the heart. There you can find new, used, old and collectible editorial proposals. There won’t only be books but a cultural journey through books via workshops and cultural events. There are great public exhibitions, events, courses deeply studied and sought after. During the 2020 edition of the Salone Della Cultura there will be an exhibition on Alda Merini, the Italian poet who passed away in 2009. Manuscripts, typescripts and much more material will be exhibited on one of the most famous Italian artists of our times.

Tehran International Book Fair

Tehran International Book Fair

Tehran, Iran
Apr 14-24, 2020
Tehran International Book Fair is staged in Tehran early in May on an annual basis. The cultural event has turned into a landmark, momentous book fair in the Middle East and Asia after 30 editions in a row.
Millions of visitors inspect the fair every year, including thousands of university students, scholars and their families. The event currently serves as the most significant cultural event in Iran. The event currently serves as the most significant cultural event in Iran. Turkey has been picked as the guest of honor for 2020.

Stuttgart Antiquarian Book Fair

Stuttgart Antiquarian Book Fair

Stuttgart, Germany
Jan 24-26, 2020
Germany’s leading annual rare book fair brings together each year local and international booksellers. The Stuttgart Antiquarian Book Fair is the oldest and largest fair for antiquarian booksellers and autograph and print dealers in Germany. The Stuttgart Antiquarian Book Fair is where antiquarians offer first editions, manuscripts, and letters from the respective authors.

Black Sea Book Fair

Black Sea Book Fair

Samsun, Turkey
Feb 15-23, 2020
The Black Sea Book Fair gathers a large number of visitors on a yearly basis. It has been held by TÜYAP Fairs in Samsun for 4 years and is among the leading cultural events of the Black Sea region of Turkey. The fair is held in association with the Turkish Publishers Association. It gives thousands of readers direct access to new books, showcasing new book releases and periodicals.

Nigeria International Book Fair

Nigeria International Book Fair

Lagos, Nigeria
May 11-15, 2020
The Nigeria International Book Fair is a well-organized annual book trade and exhibition that promotes reading and educational, intellectual and technological development. Its aim is to improve the reading culture in Nigeria, bring books closer to the people for better education and self-improvement and inculcate in the younger generation of Nigerians, necessary readership and authorship skills for a wholesome book society.

Franschhoek Literary Festival

Franschhoek Literary Festival

Cape Town, South Africa
May 15-17, 2020
The Franschhoek Literary Festival aims to bring together a broad cross-section of mostly South African English-speaking writers and a few distinguished authors from overseas. It focuses on presenting quality events that inspire and inform, and raise funds for local communities and school libraries. There are literary and publishers’ dinners, book launches, writing workshops, a school spelling bee, wine writers’ prizes, classical music concerts and much more. In the week leading up to the festival, youngsters can take part in the first ‘Book Week for Young Readers’ where they can listen to some of the 46 children’s authors participating in reading and telling their stories.

The Muscat International Book Fair

The Muscat International Book Fair

Muscat, Oman
Feb 26-Mar 7, 2020
According to the Arab Publishers Union, the Muscat International Book Fair is among the best 10 book fairs at the Arab level and one of the top three fairs at the Gulf level in terms of the number of visitors and publishers. Over 650 publishing houses from 27 Arab and foreign countries are taking part in the fair. Al Musandam Governorate is the guest of honor for the 25th edition of Muscat international book fair 2020.

Poznań International Book Fair

Poznań International Book Fair

Poznań, Poland
Mar 6-8, 2020
Books for Children, Young Adults, and Parents is the largest event of its kind in Poland. A trade fair and cultural event dedicated to the promotion of reading and the development of children’s imagination and sensitivity. The program of events includes numerous discussions, literature reading nights, workshops and creative games for children. The Poznan Book Fair is also an opportunity for children to get autographs from the authors and talk with them during tens of “meet the author” sessions that take place both on publishers’ stands and the main scene.

Kingsmead College Book Fair

Kingsmead College Book Fair

Johannesburg, South Africa
May 23, 2020
Kingsmead Book Fair has become a significant event on South Africa’s literary calendar. This year’s campaign “the more attendees read, the more they know”, is mirrored in their diverse and inspired program which hopes to initiate much debate, dialogue, and discussion between our authors and facilitators.

Buchmesse im Ried

Buchmesse im Ried

Bavaria, Germany
Mar 7-8, 2020
The Buchmesse im Ried is a supraregional event about books and literature. Hosting the region’s newest leisure and travel guides, the fair boasts of a legendary cake counter. Readers can get in touch with authors, browse books, and view the booths of many publishers and bookstores attend readings and lectures. There are more than 40 publishers and bookstores exhibiting their programs at the fair. The Book Fair in Ried is also hosting the Stockstädter Wohlfühltage: “Read, Relax, Refuel!”
The book fair in Ried invites you to the 24th time in the Stockträdter Altrheinhalle: with the opening ceremony on Saturday afternoon and the trade fair and supporting program until Sunday evening – almost everything with free admission.

MISS READ: Berlin Art Book Festival

MISS READ: Berlin Art Book Festival

Berlin, Germany
Jun 5-7, 2020
The Berlin Art Book Fair will be held at Haus der Kulturen der Welt and will bring together a wide selection of publishers, art periodicals and artists/authors. In conjunction, the seventh Conceptual Poetics Day will explore the imaginary border between visual art and literature. The festival is dedicated to community-building and creating a public meeting place for discourse around artists’ books, conceptual publications, and publishing as practice.

African American Children’s Book Fair

African American Children’s Book Fair

Pennsylvania, United States
February 1, 2020
The African American Children’s Book Fair is one of the oldest and largest single-day events for African-American children’s books in the country, with an average yearly attendance of more than 3,500 people. The event features nationally known bestselling authors/illustrators, many of whom have won some of the most prestigious American Library Association awards including the Coretta Scott King Award. These authors/illustrators have produced some of the best books of our generation.

Kingston Book Festival

Kingston Book Festival

Kingston, Jamaica
March 2020
The Kingston Book Festival is one of the largest book festivals in the English speaking Caribbean. It comprises 30 events over 8 days with a combined audience of more than 6,000. The event includes training and networking sessions for industry professionals as well as special events for vulnerable populations. There are also live performances and readings, a Children’s Tent sponsored by Crayons Count, discounts and giveaways and a ton of books!

Detroit Book City

Detroit Book City

Michigan, United States
February 22, 2020
The Detroit Book City Annual African-American Family Book Expo event is Michigan’s largest independent Black book fair. It’s an exciting one-day event designed to preserve literacy in the community — at the family level. Enjoy a winter afternoon with over 60 talented, Black Indie Authors of adult & children books.

Dahlonega Literary Festival

Dahlonega Literary Festival

Georgia, United States
Mar 6-7, 2020
The Dahlonega Literary Festival is an annual celebration of books that takes place in March. It’s an intimate festival with books and authors on a mission to promote interaction between the readers in a relaxed, informal environment. In addition to attending speaking events and book signings, attendees can have lunch with their favorite authors at a local restaurant.

Sydney Writers’ Festival

Sydney Writers’ Festival

Sydney, Australia
Apr 26-May 3, 2020
Each year, the Sydney Writers’ Festival presents more than 300 events, attracting audiences of up to 100,000 people for a week-long conversation of books and ideas. The Festival programs include some of the world’s most curious and compassionate, irreverent but respectful, intelligent and argumentative writers – from local and international contemporary novelists, screenwriters, musicians and writers of cutting-edge nonfiction, to some of the world’s leading public intellectuals, scientists and journalists. With the finest writing and storytelling at its core, our programming is driven by the ideas and issues that animate all types of literature.

Festival of Women Writers

Festival of Women Writers

New York, United States of America
Sep 11-13, 2020
The Festival of Women Writers will celebrate its fourth year in the Hobart Book Village, “the reading capital of New York State.” Since its inception, the Festival has created space for established and emerging women writers to share their insights and skills through a variety of writing activities and public readings with audiences throughout Delaware County, the state of New York, and beyond.

International Festival of Authors

International Festival of Authors

Toronto, Canada
Oct 26-28, 2020
As Canada’s largest and longest-running celebration of words and ideas, it connects writers and curious readers of every kind. IFOA presents the finest international novelists, poets, playwrights, short story writers, and biographers, and provides Canadian writers with an internationally recognized forum in which to present their work. The 40th anniversary will have more than 200 participants at over 60 events and authors from 30 different countries. Obviously no visit to the festival is complete without a visit to the Festival Hub. The Hub is home to the University of Toronto Bookstore’s satellite location, where you can browse and shop hundreds of Festival titles, and purchase a limited edition 40th Festival tote bag ($15).

Vancouver Writers Fest

Vancouver Writers Fest

Vancouver, Canada
Oct 19-25, 2020
The Vancouver Writers Fest turns reading into a community experience, bringing people together to share thoughts, explore ideas, and witness brilliant conversations. For the past 30 years, the Writers Fest has enriched imaginations and the culture of the city. It has also touched and inspired thousands of lives by creating a forum for authors to connect with readers and by offering a vibrant exchange of ideas and conversation. The Festival is a celebration of stories, told by authors, poets, spoken word performers, and graphic novelists.

Abantu Book Festival

Abantu Book Festival

Soweto, South Africa
December 2020
Abantu Book Festival has become an annual pilgrimage for black writers and readers held in SOWETO to celebrate the rich and diverse African literary heritage. While the book remains the central medium of the festival, we present an extensive program that is a feast for the whole family, which includes poetry and musical performances, writing and publishing workshops, panel discussions, and in-conversations, dance, as well as film-screening woven into the mix. Over four days, the best poets, novelists, playwrights, biographers, children’s writers, literary scholars, musicians, actors, activists, thinkers, and readers from as far as can be imagined, transform the historic location of SOWETO into a literary village.

Wimbledon BookFest

Wimbledon BookFest

London, United Kingdom
Oct 8-18, 2020
Wimbledon BookFest is a charity promoting arts, culture, and education. Its aim is to develop the cultural offering for the locality through the provision of an annual arts festival and educational projects with schools and young people. It hosts almost 100 events in its 10 day period and has grown from 1,000 visitors in its first year to over 15,000 with 7,000 school children from over 70 schools now enjoying the festival every year. Any money raised is plowed back into the festival and its education work with local schools. Over 2,000 books are given to children from a lower socio-economic demographic every year to encourage reading.

New York Comic Con

New York Comic-Con

New York, United States of America
Oct 8-11, 2020
New York Comic Con is the East Coast’s biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. Their Show Floor plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. Panels & Screenings
The super fans behind New York Comic Con but the greatest minds, in-demand celebrities, and incredible content in front of you in a unique way. You’ll only get to experience these once-in-a-lifetime events at NYCC. Stay tuned for the epic events that are in store for NYCC 2020.

Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention

Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention

California, United States
Oct 15-18, 2020
The World Mystery Convention is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that holds an annual convention in honor of Anthony Boucher, the distinguished mystery fiction critic, editor, and author. Every year readers, writers, publishers, editors, agents, booksellers and other lovers of crime fiction gather for a 4-day weekend of education, entertainment, and fun! It is the world’s premier event bringing together all parts of the mystery and crime fiction community.

Read My World Festival

Read My World Festival

Amsterdam, Netherlands
October 2020
Going beyond the commonplace, Read My World explores the boundaries between literature and journalism, between here and there and draws attention to everything in between. Next year’s edition takes place in October in the Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam North, with a special focus on journalism, literature, and stories from Black USA.

Ake Arts and Book Festival

Ake Arts and Book Festival

Ikeja, Nigeria
Oct 22-25, 2020
Ake Arts and Book Festival is all about promoting, developing and celebrating creativity on the African continent. One hundred writers, poets, dancers, artists, film-makers, thinkers talking about Africa, on African soil. The program includes the Ake Festival bookstore, artists, art galleries, book chats, concerts, films, Eat the Book event, interviews, book launches, panels, Project Inspire! event among other performances and events.

Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair

Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair

Washington, United States
October 2020
Dealers from across North America and beyond descend annually upon Seattle, offering for sale thousands of collectible books, prints, maps, autographs, photographs, posters, postcards, ephemera, manuscripts, broadsides, fine bindings and more. Come tour the aisles of this most literate city’s beloved event. Meet with specialists from all over the world. Browse this veritable museum of cultural and historical artifacts. There is something interesting and unique to take home for all attendees on any budget.

Black Ink: A Charleston African-American Book Festival

Black Ink: A Charleston African-American Book Festival

South Carolina, United States
October 2020
Black Ink is Charleston’s African-American Book Festival. The festival’s main aim is to support black writers, especially from South
Carolina, creating a space for them to share their work, discuss their craft, and expose readers of all ages to the great variety of African American authors in the area.

Calabash International Literary Festival

Calabash International Literary Festival

Treasure Beach, Jamaica
May 29-31, 2020
The Calabash International Literary Festival is a three-day festival of readings and music with other forms of storytelling folded in the mix, Calabash is earthy, inspirational, daring and diverse. After 10 successive years, Calabash is now staged on a biennial basis on even years. All festival events are free and open to the public. Passion is the only price of entry. But voluntary contributions are welcomed.

Festival of Literary Diversity

Festival of Literary Diversity

Ontario, Canada
April 30, 2020
The Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) celebrates diversity in literature by promoting diverse authors and stories in Brampton, Ontario—one of Canada’s most culturally diverse cities. The festival holds a lot of events for people of all ages, particularly children.

The Bocas Lit Fest

The Bocas Lit Fest

Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
May 1-3, 2020
The Bocas Lit Fest is a registered non-profit company incorporated in Trinidad and Tobago. The program includes workshops (which require pre-registration), readings, panel discussions, film screenings, open mic and more. Our line-up of writers and performers is already set, but writers interested in reading at the festival can sign up to be part of our Stand & Deliver open mic series. After readings, talks, and discussions, authors will be signing copies of their books at designated tables.

Morristown Festival of Books

Morristown Festival of Books

New Jersey, United States
Oct 9-10, 2020
The Morristown Festival of Books celebrates the power of the written word to challenge, transport and transform us while bringing together our community in conversation. Modeled after successful book festivals in other communities throughout the world, the Morristown Festival of Books brings together acclaimed authors with readers and book lovers.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, international book fairs running year-round all over the world. They create a great opportunity for readers to connect, meet their favorite authors, and get their hands on the latest the publishing world has to offer. But they aren’t just for readers, they’re also for authors and anyone involved with the writing/publishing industry. Whether you’re a reader, writer, publisher, illustrator, or a collector, these book fairs have something to offer everyone. Be sure to make note of the ones closest to you.

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